Embracing the Imperfect

There are those who want showroom perfect and those of us who know that what’s rough and worn in a piece we love tells a story.

Even before I started Peony Lane Designs I lived in thrift stores and vintage shops seeking out unique pieces to fill my home. On occasion, I would find a piece taken off a furniture shops showroom floor that was still pristine. It’s like finding a unicorn in the wild but they are out there. Still, they don’t appeal to me much.

For my whole life, I’ve been drawn to pieces that have rough spots. Places where a previous owner had brushed against it so much the finish has worn off or a ding in the wood where the piece had been hit by something heavy.

Some people don’t want to see this perceived “flaws”. They will walk past any piece of furniture that is not showroom perfect. It’s ironic to me that the new design trend is “Farmhouse Chic” (thanks [amazon_textlink asin=’006282015X’ text=’Joanna Gaines’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’1512′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’cea1d49a-5781-11e8-82d2-55d82f08cd4d’]), but the people who are embracing this trend don’t actually want to buy a rusty, dusty piece from a farm. They want Pottery Barn or Anthropologies to create faux rust for them and factory battered furniture.

Believe it or not, I once was paid to beat up furniture. I worked at a medium-sized furniture manufacturer in the Twin Cities who literally paid me to take chains, screwdrivers, heavy objects, and sandpaper and curate a distressed finish on their furniture. To this day that baffles me. I kept wondering why people didn’t simply buy a used piece of furniture if they wanted it to look worn?

Intellectually, I know the answer so you don’t need to chime in to educate me. It’s all good and to each their own, but I would encourage you to embrace the imperfections. Find inspiration from designers like [amazon_textlink asin=’1501135686′ text=’Junk Gypsy ‘ template=’ProductLink’ store=’1512′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’7e531571-577e-11e8-aee1-1b320acca85c’]and [amazon_textlink asin=’1907563598′ text=’Rachel Ashwell ‘ template=’ProductLink’ store=’1512′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’9be8c864-577e-11e8-a117-b3a107eadf92′]whose design philosophies are both economical and eco-friendly. Read their books and find out how to embrace your unique style and not a big box stores. Find re-loved pieces on Etsy that are completely renewed and unique. Embrace life’s little imperfections and find the soul of your home.